The Cashew Traders and Exporters Association of Ghana (CTEAG) has appealed to the government to urgently rehabilitate the deplorable Berekum–Sampa road network, which serves as a vital route for cashew transportation in the Bono Region. The association said the poor state of the road was hampering economic activities and affecting Ghana’s growing cashew export sector.
Speaking in an interview with the press, the National Organiser of CTEAG, Mr. Kwabena Owusu, lamented that the persistent neglect of the Berekum–Sampa stretch has made transportation of cashew nuts from farming communities to the main collection and export points extremely difficult and costly. He said the situation was not only affecting traders but also farmers and drivers who depend on the cashew business for their livelihoods.
According to him, several trucks conveying cashew nuts often break down due to the rough and dusty nature of the road, leading to huge losses and delayed deliveries. “Sometimes, our trucks spend two to three days just between Berekum and Sampa. This is unacceptable for a country that calls cashew one of its major non-traditional export commodities,” he stated.
Mr. Owusu further noted that the poor road conditions were discouraging many investors and transporters from operating in the area. “Drivers now charge exorbitant fares because of the damage their vehicles suffer. The government must see the Berekum–Sampa road as an economic road, not just a local one,” he stressed.
He disclosed that this is the first time the association is publicly appealing to the government to take immediate action on the road, describing the situation as “a ticking economic crisis” if nothing is done soon. “We are not asking for luxury roads, only motorable ones that can keep the cashew industry alive,” he added.
The CTEAG National Organiser also appealed to Members of Parliament in the region and traditional authorities to join hands in pushing for the road’s reconstruction, saying development should not be politicized when it affects national revenue generation. He emphasized that the cashew sector contributes significantly to Ghana’s export earnings and deserves better infrastructure support.
He therefore called on the government to, as a matter of urgency, prioritize the rehabilitation of the Berekum–Sampa roads to sustain economic activities in the area. “Fixing this road means saving thousands of jobs, protecting farmers’ incomes, and boosting Ghana’s non-traditional export drive,” he concluded.
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